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Submission
From the north: Take Route 30 South to the Townshend Lake Recreation Area; turn right over dam, then left at T-intersection. Park is 2 miles ahead on right.
Townshend State Park is beautiful! I camped out here a lot growing up; especially in Summer Camp (I went to Heart's Bend Camp in nearby Newfane) and in the VERY mid/late Summer of 1993 before my best friend and I went off to college we did a Kayaking trip on the West/Connecticut Rivers. I was going to be attending Hampshire College in Amherst, and she was going to be attending Hunter College in NYC, so this was the last time we'd see each other until Winter Break.
We camped out @ TSP the night before put in, and then started off early the next morning. We kayaked from TSP to the Brattleboro Marina the first day (where the West River joins the Connecticut under the Route 5 & Amtrak Vermonter B&M bridges), then camped out the second night at Hinsdale Campground in NH, second day of paddling took us from Hinsdale Campground across the VT/NH/MA tri-state border to Squaheag in Northfield, MA where we camped the third night.
Third day of paddling we went from Squaheag to Munn's Ferry (still in Northfield), camping out there the fourth night. Fourth day of paddling took us from Munn's Ferry to Barton Cove Campground in Gill, MA (outside Greenfield) where we camped the fifth night. Fifth day of paddling took us to the CT River Paddler's (in the Whatley/S.Deerfield/Sunderland area) Campsite where we set up camp (and this campsite has a GORGEOUS rock ledge waterfall too) for our sixth night of camping on the river & took a short side-hike to the Sunderland Caves (VERY interesting place, I came back here with friends a LOT during college); which are ABSOLUTELY worth visiting.
Our 7th (last day!) of paddling was from CT River Paddler's campsite to the CT River Greenway State Park off Damon Rd. in Northampton, MA (just downriver after the BIG oxbow bend in the river) which was our takeout. Such a GREAT & MEMORABLE camping/paddling adventure. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
Could not recommend this campground enough! Everything was clean and meticulously maintained. The fresh flowers in the bathroom were a nice touch. The staff was extremely helpful and informative with the many questions we had during our stay. I could fall asleep to the sounds of the running water here every night. I will warn visitors that there is no cell service here and the campsites are a bit close together but overall a lovely place!
This place is pretty nice. I definitely had a memorable weekend there. The bald mountain trail is pretty challenging to hike especially close to the top. The picture I attached is one view from the end of the trail. The campsites are a nice size and the bathrooms, showers, and water spigots are easily within walking distance no matter where you end up staying. You are a little close to other campsites but everyone else staying there was courteous about noise at night. If you're on the fence you should pull the trigger.
Come enjoy the Beauty! It's worth the trip. I'm trying to introduce my friends to the boonies, this is close! This is a GREAT Beautiful place on a dirt road. Don't expect to always have cell service but You're supposed to be camping-put down the electronics (got me-camera is okay). It's in the pucker brush but don't let it stop You! There's a nice covered bridge close. Some folks don't like that the dam happened, I'm glad it did, but I also know there's no stopping progress, the fact they aren't trying to pave everything here is THE BEST. If You're camping, You probably have a 4x4 or all wheel drive vehicle, if You don't, all bets are off on the rainy days as the road is narrow and people don't want to have to explain it's a 2 lane dirt road with a few tight corners, don't SPEED, go slow and enjoy the journey . . . The cabins are cute. The camp layout is nice. We tend to leave for hours and have no problems with stuff being messed with.
Occupied two sites this summer. Each site completely different one felt deep woodsy the other like my parents backyard. Nice variety. Ranger/staff was very welcoming, knowledgeable and helpful!! Sites were well maintained, and bathrooms were clean. Dog and five year old friendly; my son did a lot of exploring at/around site 25.
